Alert neighbour credited with stopping store heist

THREE teenage boys have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and several weapons offences.

Winnipeg police said a local resident spotted the three boys, ages 15, 14 and 13, crouching beside a convenience store in the 400 block of Mountain Avenue around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The neighbour thought the boys were suspicious, police spokesman Patrol Sgt. Wally Antoniuk said, adding they were wearing hoodies with the hoods up and hid their hands in their clothing. Antoniuk credited the neighbour for preventing a robbery.

"He did not directly intervene, but took the opportunity to flag down a cruiser car that happened to be driving through the area."

Police stopped the boys and took them into custody. Antoniuk said all three are affiliated with a local street gang.

The 14-year-old is charged with possessing a dangerous weapon, a modified long gun.

The 15-year-old is also charged with two counts of failing to comply with terms of a sentence and failing to comply with conditions of an undertaking. The 14-year-old is also charged with failing to comply with conditions of an undertaking.